Lionel Messi has experienced almost everything a soccer player could in his two-decade pro career, but Sunday will bring a first for the Argentine legend.
When Inter Miami faces Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup round of 16, it will mark the first time in Messi's career that he's played against a former club.
Inter Miami drew 2-2 with Palmeiras on Monday night in Miami, becoming the only MLS team to reach the Club World Cup knockout phase after the Seattle Sounders and LAFC were eliminated at the group stage.
Despite its advancement, Miami walked away disappointed after conceding two late goals that resulted in the Herons finishing as group runners-up behind Palmeiras.
Rather than a last-16 date with Botafogo, Messi and Co. will now face the Champions League winners instead.
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It will be an awkward reunion for Messi, who joined PSG in 2021 after spending his entire career at Barcelona.
Messi has spoken openly about his difficultly adjusting to life at PSG during his two seasons with the club, admitting that he wasn't happy in the French capital. Though PSG won Ligue 1 during both of Messi's seasons in France, it fell short of its ultimate goal of the Champions League.
PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi criticized Messi last year, saying the Argentine showed a lack of respect in how he spoke about the club after his departure.
Paris Saint-Germain's Argentine forward Lionel Messi reacts after Lyon's French forward Bradley Barcola (unseen) scored a goal during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Olympique Lyonnais (OL) at The Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris on April 2, 2023.
The Club World Cup match will also see a reunion between PSG manager Luis Enrique and five players he coached during his spell at Barcelona: Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Javier Mascherano, who now coaches Inter Miami.
“For the club, this kind of achievement is wonderful, and now we’ve got to compete against a PSG side that will be very tough,” Alba told DAZN after Monday's game. “Let’s see if we can hold our own. We’ve competed in all three matches.
“Now, obviously we’re talking about the champions of Europe. We know a lot of their players, and the coach — who I was lucky enough to play under — and I’ve always said he’s the best in the world.
“Once the game starts, it’s about going toe-to-toe, trying to beat them, and why not? This is football — let’s see how far we can go.”
PSG and Inter Miami will kick off at 12 p.m. ET on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.